Glastonbury In The Past: A Case Of Sticks And Stones

PETER MARTEKA, pmarteka@courant.com

GLASTONBURY — Over the past 250 years, crime has always brought readers to the pages of The Hartford Courant. From the notorious to the sublime to the stupid crooks, crime stories seem to attract readers. And September 8, 1915 was no different. Here is the case of the Balkus boys who were arrested and fined for throwing sticks and stones at their neighbor – or a case of mistaken identity?

"Marian and Daniel Balkus, 16 and 17-years-old respectively, sons of Joseph Balkus, were arrested and tried before Justice of the Peace Henry H. Hunt yesterday morning for using insulting language and throwing sticks and stones at a neighbor Joseph Starsick. The boys said it was their younger brothers who were throwing sticks and stones to kill grasshoppers. They were fined $1 and costs, a total of $10.78. Their father appealed the case."